Food Industry News, Insights, and Education for the CPG Community

The past week has seen a variety of announcements to changes to several food companies and management teams. The announcements bring with them a look into the possible blueprints for these companies’ plans for 2016.

Jeff Grogg, Managing Director of JPG Resources, discusses how we can approach food safety while still allowing for innovation and how small and large companies differ in their approach.

Project NOSH hosted its first official strategy and networking conference for emerging natural foods brands at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, Nov. 5. Featuring upwards of 20 seasoned experts from the space as presenters and panelists, the audience of entrepreneurs were treated to an educational event that dove deep into an accelerating and evolving natural and organic foods world that has become more norm than niche.

Perfect Fuel, a functional chocolate brand, quietly announced this week that it had closed an initial seed round of funding. This most recent round will be used to launch their products more widely, as well as test out new line extensions.

Whole Foods Market announced several key items that will impact producers of products sold in their eponymous stores as well as its new retail chain of 365 by Whole Foods Market locations.

Chickpea pasta producer Banza announced this week that the company had completed its first seed round of a $1.3 million dollar raise from institutional and angel investors. Project NOSH spoke with co-founder Brian Rudolph to find out what the funds will be used for and details of the raise.

Faced with the “normalization” of superfoods such as chia and hemp, innovative producers are turning to new exotic parts of the globe for functional ingredients. Moringa is fast becoming a top option, found in several products that are new or about to come to market.

Three well-known investors and entrepreneurs are coming together for a proposed $100 million fund while one of the leaders of another high-profile fund is leaving its parent company.

Project NOSH is excited to announce that all Project NOSH L.A attendees are invited to an exclusive afterparty powered by BevForce | FoodForce, Snack Nation & Alliance Consumer Growth.

Guest author Scott Sanders looks at the condiment wars happening in retailers nationwide and the role small, entrepreneurial brands are playing.

A look at recent news stories covering packaged food products including: What Back to the Future got right and wrong, how Kale wants to take over Hollywood and leadership at top CPG and food related companies

After a day filled with networking and learning as well as strategic presentations by acclaimed food luminaries from companies including Kroger, B&G Foods, VMG and Health Warrior, Project NOSH LA attendees will certainly feel energized and excited for the future. Bringing all the day’s lessons together will be one dynamic speaker, Sarah Chapin, the CEO of Hail Merry.

General Mills’ 301 INC incubator pivoted loudly yesterday, announcing that it would begin focusing primarily on investing in early-stage food startups to help them grow. Project NOSH spoke with John Haugen, VP and General Manager, about what food and beverage entrepreneurs can expect to see from 301 and why the unit shifted strategies.

A look at recent food and beverage sports endorsement deals which reflect a greater expansion of the parameters of the “big four” sports leagues’ approach to marketing for the industry.